The Transportation Security Administration introduced a new screening system at La Guardia Airport on Wednesday that tries to speed things up – and reduce anxiety and frustration – by asking travelers to choose a line based on their familiarity with checkpoint procedures.

The system relies on travelers to sort themselves into three groups, each assigned a color and shape: a green circle for families with small children and strollers, groups, people needing special assistance and those new to flying; a blue square for casual travelers who are familiar with security checkpoint procedures and have multiple carry-on bags; and a black diamond for expert travelers who are well-versed in the procedures.

Expert travelers fly more than twice a month, travel light, and are “always ready with items removed” (no metal, no shoes). Elite-status members of frequent-flyer programs are included in this category.

La Guardia is the 24th airport to implement the program, which began in Salt Lake City and Denver in February.

The program will be expanded to Newark Liberty International Airport in the coming months. A modified form of the program – a separate family line, aimed at families who do not speak English as their native language – was introduced last week at American Airlines’ new Terminal 8 at Kennedy International Airport.

The “Self-Select Lane” program – under the heading, “What is Your Lane?” – includes three categories:

*Green diamond for families with small children and strollers, travelers needing special assistance, and those new to flying.

*Blue square for casual travelers familiar with TSA procedures with multiple carry-on bags.

*Black diamond for frequent travelers who fly more than twice a month and carry one bag, and know to take off their shoes when they enter the screening area.

(Dov Gordon – YWN / TSA / NY Times)